Blocking Leads Syracuse to 3-0 Sweep Over Georgia Tech in ACC Opener

Friday, September 21

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 pm

Syracuse University

5-4 (0-0ACC)

Georgia Tech

11-3 (0-1ACC)

Georgia Tech

Syracuse

Blocking Leads Syracuse to 3-0 Sweep Over Georgia Tech in ACC Opener

9/21/2018 10:41:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A spectacular performance that featured 15 kills by freshman Polina Shemanova and 10 from redshirt-senior Amber Witherspoon helped lead the Syracuse volleyball team to a sweep over Georgia Tech in their ACC opener, at home Friday night. The Orange swept an opponent for the second time this season defeating the Yellow Jackets by set scores of 25-14, 27-25, 25-21.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Syracuse quickly stifled the Georgia Tech attack to open the first set when the Orange took an early 7-2 lead. They continued to dominate holding a nine-point lead through most of the first set. The 'Cuse attack compiled a .400 hitting percentage while holding Georgia Tech to a .125 clip.

The Yellow Jackets looked to control the second set with an early 7-0 lead. Syracuse used a string of four-straight points to close the gap, 16-14. Three-consecutive kills by Syracuse pushed the match to extra points where Witherspoon and Levanova put up the set-winning block.

A 5-0 run late in the third set pushed the Orange to a 19-11 lead. The Yellow Jackets responded with five-consecutive kills to pull within three points but swings by Witherspoon and Shemanova stopped the comeback attempt.

OF NOTE
With a strong presence at the net, Syracuse recorded 15 team blocks highlighted by 10 from Witherspoon. Witherspoon added 10 kills on 17 attacks for a .529 hitting percentage and the second double-double of her career.

HEAR FROM COACH
"I think overall we did a pretty good job," said head coach Leonid Yelin. "We always talk about what we have to do regardless of if we are ahead or behind. We are always trying to stay on our game plan no matter what."

UP NEXT
The Orange wrap up the weekend against Clemson Sunday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. live on ACCN Extra.

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